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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

What did you find worse? First or Third trimester

59 replies

Brighteyes · 02/04/2005 10:43

No doubt been asked before but I was just wondering which people found the most difficult the first or third trimester?

I thought nothing could be as bad as the first, I was constantly tired, always crying and ended up in hospital with dehydration due to morning sickness.

Now at 34 weeks pg I think the third trimester has got to be the worst. I haven't slept properly in weeks, got constant heartburn and midwife has confirmed I now have symptoms of pre-eclampsia (high bp and protein in my urine).

In comparison the second trimester was bliss (all excluding a car crash).

So in your opinion whats the worst trimester?

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Miaou · 02/04/2005 11:09

With both previous pregnancies I would say undoubtedly that the first was the worst - I can put up with the lack of sleep, indigestion and restricted activity when in 3rd trimester, but not the morning sickness in trimester 1! however, that has more to do with the fact that I just hate being or feeling sick, far more than the being uncomfortable etc. Also, I didn't have any complications such as pre-eclampsia to worry about! Currently in my 2nd trimester and deffo think this is the best bit.

starlover · 02/04/2005 11:15

third, definitely.
Was horribly sick in the first... and thought I would die if it went on any longer, just couldn't take it any more.

But the third... good god! Couldn't sleep properly, couldn't walk because of the pain, saggy stretch-marked tummy, swollen legs, I was in so much pain I couldn't even turn over in bed!

Ended up spending over a month at home doing sod all... and was bored to tears!

starlover · 02/04/2005 11:15

oh yes... and the endless bottles of gaviscon I got through cos of heartburn!

Miaou · 02/04/2005 11:18

ahhh, gaviscon....got it all to come in a couple of months...

lou33 · 02/04/2005 13:48

first 16 weeks for me were worst, throwing up and generally feeling like death

tamula · 02/04/2005 14:11

Good thread!

I have been thinking this over in my head for the past few weeks and I think I hated the 1st and 3rd in equal measure but for slightly different reasons, 1st I just felt sickly all the time, luckily I was not actually physically sick but that feeling was foul and lasted exactly 12 weeks all day every day.

The 3rd trimester which I'm currently running overtime in! (8 days late) Heartburn is a disgusting vile thing, having no sleep, cant turn over in bed without a united effort, cant lay in one position for too long, get pins and needles if I stare at my hands for too long let alone lay on my arm by accident,which happens nightly, cant get up from sitting and cant bend down from standing, fed up with the whole pregnancy, trips to the loo every 5 secs, big heavy belly, people telling me i should enjoy the sleep now and rest now as I'll not get any when baby arrives, (what sleep would that be?) and so on and so forth...

Moaning? Me? never

kama · 02/04/2005 14:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

julesandweekabeya · 07/04/2005 12:23

Hi. Have found the whole pregnancy experience horrible. Am 36 weeks pregnant and can't wait for it to be over. Third trimester has been worst by far as have started been sick again, am very tired, constantly need to pee all night and am just hacked off. Know you are supposed to be all happy and glowing and be overjoyed to be pregnant but just have had enough!!! Don't get me wrong, can't wait to be a mum and meet the baby but being pregnant is not what I expected. Anyone else feel like this???

Fennel · 07/04/2005 12:25

4th trimester is definitely the worst - the overdue part of pregnancy. ugh.

PiccadillyCircus · 07/04/2005 12:32

With DS, first trimester was horrible.

Third trimester also horrible - I also ended up with pre-eclampsia and was in and out of hospital for for three weeks before he was born.

I think the first trimester horribleness went on for longer, but the third trimester was very not nice too.

Now I am nearly 17 weeks pregnant with DS2/DD. First trimester horrible, morning sickness etc. I am also suffering from depression this time too. So even though I am now in the 2nd trimester, don't feel particulalry blooming.

I think my body doesn't like being pregnant .

Sponge · 07/04/2005 12:39

First time the 3rd was far worse. First I was just tired but not sick at all so not too bad wheras 3rd was the usual litany of discomfort, pain, swelling and peeing.
Second time round the whole thing was pretty horrible. I was never actually sick but felt nauseous constantly for 12 weeks and nearly fainted on the tube every morning, middle wasn't too bad but I didn't have the energy surge that I had with number 1, still constantly knackered. 3rd bit was really exhausting and uncomfortable and then I got pre-eclampsia. I have two beautiful children and I don't regret a moment of it but I'm never doing it again.

northstar · 07/04/2005 12:46

First trimester definately the worst. I had to drag myself out of bed after a 12hr sleep to collapse on the couch and wake myself up enough to be a responsible mum to a toddler only getting up from the couch to retch in the sink. Am 35wks today and blooming. So proud of my big bump and making the most of everything - including being offered seats/jumping queues etc... Never had heartburn in my life, can't even imagine what it feels like really. Dont worry, will probably have a horrendous labour and a colicky baba to even things out though

Posey · 07/04/2005 12:51

Third definitely but thats probably because I didn't suffer with sickness.
1st pregnancy was to be honest a breeze, just wanted to get my baby and the third dragged because I was waiting for ot to happen.
2nd pregnancy I didn't really enjoy but felt absolutely knackered and very ungainly towards the end.

Gobbledigook · 07/04/2005 12:58

Both bad but for different reasons. With ds3 last year I was feeling really nauseous in the first 3 months and with 2 toddlers in tow it was a nightmare.

Middle bit OK but then 3rd trimester I was big and waddly and it was hot, hot, hot so sleeping and walking about were hard work - again, particularly because I had ds1 and ds2 age 3 and 1.

Bozza · 07/04/2005 13:04

Think with DD the first was probably the worst. Feeling vaguely sick all the time, and unbearably tired but still having to keep up with a 2 yo. When I was pg with DS I used to come home from work and sleep for an hour before eating and going back to bed. With DD I was working and out of the house 8 til 6 and then had to put in some time with DS before having a bath with him and going to bed at the same time. I had no life and hardly saw DH!

With DS 3rd was probably worse because I was more conscientious at work and putting in more hours and so getting myself more knackered. Plus I worked later and once I stopped was rather lonely. It was winter and I didn't really know anyone. When I finished with DD it was spring, DS was at nursery for 3 days which meant I had chance to cook for the freezer and do the housework and rest. Then I could make the most of my days with DS, catch up with all the friends I now had etc.

coppertop · 07/04/2005 13:09

3rd trimester was the worst IMHO. The morning sickness of the 1st trimester was obviously not nice but at least I could move around okay. I remember the awful nights when I'd tried to turn over in my sleep and got stuck halfway. I had to wake dh up to roll me back over. He of course thought it was hilarious and said it was like watching a tortoise on its back trying to move. Grrr!

Both boys were big babies and my bumps were so big that the MW couldn't believe I wasn't having twins. I waddled everywhere and had terrible heartburn. Morning sickness seemed quite tame in comparison.

laneydaye · 07/04/2005 13:12

felt shitty in 1st very sicky
felt shitty in 2nd very tired.....

crap.... being pregnant (for me)

mogwai · 07/04/2005 17:24

Am currently 30 weeks and already the third trimester is shaping up to be worse than the first. I had no morning sickness, but used to feel awful between 3pm-8pm most days, though never vomited. This ended abruptly at 11 weeks to be replaced by general fatness and misery at my growing arse and thighs despite sensible eating and exercise.

Since 24 weeks I've had muscular and joint problems around my pelvis which are agony, especially turning over in bed. I get cramp in whichever leg I'm lying on at night and now it's a swollen left foot which I can hardly weight bear onto...ho hum

Gaviscon doesn't taste so bad after five bottles have been consumed. Oh yeah, and yesterday I realised I have a mild case of haemorrhoids. I've had them before and they were absolute agony so yeah, I'm looking forward to lots more of that. You would not believe how much fibre I have eaten during this pregnancy in an attempt to stave them off!

I find the whole pregnancy difficult, painful and distressing most days. I find lack of control over my weight very upsetting. I hate other people thinking this is an excuse to comment on my body all the time and I'm sick of answering the same questions all day long. Yesterday, an enormous potato of a girl who I'd never met before commented "aren't you enormous?!!". The temptation to point out that I was about a third of the size that she was (she wasn't pregnant) was almost too much to bear. Thankfully, most sane people think I'm in pretty good shape, I'd have been upset otherwise!

There's nothing in the rulebook says you are going to enjoy pregnancy, I did this to have a baby, not to have a pregnancy. Can't wait to meet my baby. BTW, the "Best Friend's Guide to Pregnancy" is a great book. Nice to know I'm not alone in my misery, if only we could all go for a nice glass of wine to share our moans!!

huskygirl · 07/04/2005 17:28

3rd definately. Dragged on and on and on and on and on and on and on ok you get the picture

NomDePlume · 07/04/2005 17:30

First - I was always knackered and people couldn't see I was preg so thought I was a lazy moo. At least at 30+ weeks I was very obviously pregnant !

beansprout · 07/04/2005 17:36

Both as bad in their own ways but the tie breaker for me is the constant stream of remarks and the way nobody can see you as anything other than preganant in the 3rd. At least in the 1st I wasn't everyone elses's business. I hated that sooo much that I got to the point where I didn't want to go out!!

huskygirl · 07/04/2005 18:12

Also 3rd grrrrr - people constantly asking "had you had it yet" OBVIOUSLY NOT OR I WOULD HAVE LET YOU KNOW!!!!

CrazyDi · 07/04/2005 22:32

during my 1st trimester i hadbad morning sickness-24 hours a day... i did think that was bad until during the 3rd I copped severe anaemia, uti infections, spd and really ugly fat ankles which have had me in slippers for the past 4 weeks as no shoes fit!!

3rd is deffo the worse!! All I can say is thank god I'm 39 weeks 2 days now...ALMOST OVER!!

Shazzler · 07/04/2005 22:35

With first pregnancy it would have to be the first - constant morning sickness.

With second it was third, dd was breech and I think that's why I was uncomfortable and had a lot of heartburn. Once she was turned at 39 weeks I was fine.

Newbarnsleygirl · 07/04/2005 22:37

I would say the first for me.

Morning sickness and passing out. Not nice.

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